When going back to BCT after a break in service, what should I expect at BCT as a prior service NCO?

2023-10-09T14:26:32-04:00

I'm going back to BCT after break in service, what should I expect at BCT for the 2nd time around as a prior service NCO?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2023 2:48 PM

2023-10-09T14:48:08-04:00

You'll not be appreciated by the Drill SGT's cadre. You'll be "that guy" that has to be handled differently.

Thankfully for them you wont out rank any of the Drills, and there will always be an E6+ within ear shot to remind you of that. So just find your niche and stay in it. Be the soldier your fellow recruits can look up to, and stay out of the way of the drills training them. Do not contradict them. The recruits will look up to your stripes, and the Drills will be ever more pissed if you teach the kids short cuts around what they are trying to instill in them.

Expect to be put in charge of watching over the kids at various moments the Cadre needs to step away. I'm thinking during the hurry up and wait moments at CIF or weapons issue/turn-in, meals while in the field, etc...... Any where there is no instruction, but an NCO needs to keep an eye on things you'll be "that guy".

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2023 4:32 PM

2023-10-10T16:32:58-04:00

We had a prior service Marine in my basic training cycle. I didn't notice the DS go after him more than the rest of us who were first time going through. He was the high scorer on PT for the males - and he was in like his mid 30s I think. So that helped him too.

He was also not primarily put in charge of things. I think we had enough DS for the entire company that they could each step away and have someone cover. I don't think I ever saw a DS not around us until that very last FTX. I don't recall that prior service guy ever being singled out too much nor was he told to "watch" the rest of us.

Response by 1SG Dean Mcbride (MPER) (CPHR) made Oct 15 at 2023 10:55 PM

2023-10-15T22:55:42-04:00

I had a one year break in service. When I reenlisted, I lost one grade and went to Fort Ord, California to process back into the Army (get uniforms, etc). I was placed in a Holding Detachment and sent from there to Germany... Did not go back to Basic Training. I also spent some time as a Basic Training First Sergeant and do not recall ever seeing a prior service US Army NCO attend basic. I can see some benefit for someone from another branch of service going to US Army Basic Training. Can't see any advantage for an NCO of the same service going through Basic Training.